7 APRIL 2015

Awareness campaign was held in dedication of "April 7 - World Health Day" (PHOTO)

World Health Day is celebrated every year on April 7 by the World Health Organization. Celebration of this day provides an opportunity to focus the world's attention on essential subject related health problems on a global scale. The theme of this year is associated with the safety of food and food products.

According to the WHO, every day, thousands of people die from preventable foodborne disease. Proper food handling is key to foodborne disease prevention. Food can become contaminated with dangerous microorganisms at any point before consumption. Following simple food hygiene steps can prevent most foodborne diseases. WHO actively promotes the adaptation of global health messages to the local level and supports this work.

In order to ensure a safe nutrition the rules were drawn up by the WHO. For the prevention of foodborne diseases to comply with cleanliness, separation of raw food from cooked foods, cooking the food thoroughly to destroy microorganisms, keep food at safe temperatures and the use of safe water and raw materials are important. For the implementation and delivery of rules a wide range of public a various educational activities is planned to hold.

 Public Health and Reform Center of the Ministry of Health (PHRC) together with its partner organizations each year holds events and actions associated with the World Health Day. Also educational materials related to the topic are developed. This year an educational video “5 Keys to Safer Food” was translated into Azerbaijani by PHRC. The translated into Azerbaijani video (long and short versions) was uploaded on WHO`s website page dedicated to World Health Day of 7 April 2015. Additionally, safe food-related leaflets and booklets were translated into Azerbaijani, printed and prepared for distribution to corresponding organizations.

In framework of these activities, WHO, PHRC and the Red Crescent Society conducted together the awareness campaign on April 7, 2015. The campaign took start at the "Park Boulevard" mall in Baku. At the event the educational video “5 Keys to Safer Food” was demonstrated in Azerbaijani language and printed materials were distributed to the clients of the mall. During the action, the clients were informed about the importance of safer food for human health.

Additionally, the translated educational video “5 Keys to Safer Food” was shown each hour during the day of April 7 on the Boulevard largest screen. The video attracted people who came to the Boulevard.

You can watch pictures from the event here.